So the map is excellent for studying the possibilities of global war strategy based on trans-Arctic air transport. On this projection, the large land masses surrounding the North Pole are reasonably true in shape and relationship.
Therefore north and south distances are true. The length of the meridians is the same as it would be on a globe. The amount of distortion in east and west distances may be estimated from the scales in the panel below. The distortion of the Antarctic land areas would be so great that these are not shown. This distortion increases gradually from the North Pole to the Equator, and then quite rapidly to the outer limits. In this map the distortion occurs in the east and west distances. Since it is impossible to spread the surface of a globe on a flat surface without distortion, all maps are distorted in some respects. Every point on the map has a true direction, or azimuth, from the pole and also a true distance from the pole. The meridians of longitude ar straight lines radiating from the pole. This means that the world has been projected on ta plane tangent to the North Pole, with the parallels of latitude as concentric circles, equally spaced from the pole outward. This map is made on the North Polar Azimuthal Equidistant Projection. It has changed its size and shape - made us look at the world from a new viewpoint. The airplane has re-drawn the map of the world. The nation controlling the vital bases will control the world’s air commerce. The use of transport planes will undoubtedly alter the movement of the world’s commerce. Study of this map also shows why there is much concern over post-war control of the air. It shows the reasons why the world powers are fighting for, and building, air bases in the Arctic regions. It clearly indicates the immense savings of distance which air transport would make possible. This map has the North Pole as its center. In many ways they are actually misleading. They do not show the trans-polar relationship of the continents. The shortest routes between many of the world’s great centers lies across polar regions.Ĭonventional maps do not bring out these facts. The great land areas of the world are grouped around the North Pole. Its speed, size and dependability permit military operations across areas impassable to surface transport. Much of the strategy of this war is based upon the modern airplane. (click to get the high-resolution version)
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